Who would you all recommend if I was wanting to buy a set of Birdseye maple grips for a Ruger single action Blackhawk or Vaquero? I feel like I’ve seen them on here before but I can’t remember where people got them. I assume they are all custom.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LincolnSixEcho, July 07, 2024 11:17 PM

I have buffalo horn on my Colt SAA from https://www.eaglegrips.com/

https://chigsgrips.com/

I have a friend that has a set of Rowen Custom grips but you had better sit down before you see the prices on them. Badger Custom grips are another company but I have no affiliation or experience with either.

I looked on the Ruger website and it looks like they put Birdseye Maple grips on some Blackhawk models. Granted they are a Talo edition/model. It also depends on model and type-newer or older gun.

On a side note, I bought/traded for an older Backhawk that had a set of bonded ivory/faux grips on it, also came with the standard wood and cannot believe what the faux ivory grips sell for now.

I ended up ordering a set from chigs grips. Price was pretty reasonable for the Birdseye maple and Chad the owner was
very responsive and helpful, making the decision easier.

I had called Ruger to see what they had, but they don’t have those Birdseye maple grips like the Talo edition.

Nice. I saw the Birdseye Maple that was sold, maybe that's yours. I've picked up a few, and Ruger inserts. Enjoy.

^^^^^ Thanks I hope they look as clean as yours do!

I made up this set of Maple (fiddle back not birds eye however), for one of my son's Ruger Single Six .22's.

Making grips for a Ruger isn't all that hard when you get down to it. You cut the blank to thickness then establish the approx. 90 degree frame fit at the top. Trace the contour, cut & shape to the line, then drill the locating pin at the bottom.

Drum sand to shape and finish down to ~400 grit. Tung oil makes up into a good resilient finish as does rubbed poly or even boiled linseed oil. Brownells sells the escutcheon nut and bolt and a sweet drill bit that cuts the hole and the escutcheon nut recess. HTH's Rod 2nd pic of some others I've done.

Rod, those are some beauties! What wood types are those four in the middle picture? I've tried my hand at 1911 grips...I think I need to try some for my Blackhawks! Although I'm pretty happy with the maple grips they already have on them:

Some great looking grips there gentlemen.

Chig's Grips on my Single Six, Claro walnut. Reasonably priced.

Tim

92FStech...good looking maple stocks on yours as well. I've got some maple that's absolutely clear of figure and would like to make up another pair....maybe with a light, pale yellow stain...that'd give them an aged ivory look. Too, I've looked for a blank of Holly which is almost pure white in examples I've seen, but haven't run across any locally. It'd look good on one of my SS Rugers.

The stocks in the middle pic, from the top, are: Black&white ebony, curly (fiddle back) maple, spalted popular, and the bottom one is cocobolo, IIRC. The spalting in the poplar is a bacterial infestation, a part of the rotting process. The board came off some of our horse fencing and was still quite hard, but to kill off the bacteria, I had to 'cook' the blanks in my wife's oven for 20 minutes at 200 degrees. I liked the contrast and they made up into quite hard stocks. The .45 Colt N Vaquero in the bottom pic also has spalted poplar grips. Maple sometimes can be found with spalting but it rots fast when on the ground so is difficult to obtain in usable condition.

Best regards, Rod

To one and all...life's too short to carry an ugly piece....great looking stocks on all of your guns...well done, Sir's. best regards, Rod

Very nice looking grips guys.I am rethinking about getting a set for mine.

Rod, your grips are fantastic. Ever think about making it a side job? I know it's a lot of work but you have a gift.

Rod, thanks for the info on the spalting. I've got some spalted maple in my wood pile that came off the trees in my front yard. I made some 1911 grips with it, but failed to bake it and they started falling apart. I'll try that next time!

I also have some holly (at least I think it's holly), and it is indeed white. I kind of ruined my first attempt with it by oiling it, which yellowed it. I think next time I'll try clear poly. It was kind of soft and had a weird grain...it was easy to work with on the sander, but difficult to get smooth and finish.

Chig’s fitted a set of walnut Burl to my 41 Mag earlier this year. Chad has quick turn around time and does excellent work at a very decent price.

There are several grip frames for Rugers. Ensure your grips match your frame!

Got my grips in this weekend and mounted them today. I really love the contrast. They just pop. Thanks for the advice guys!

Nice, those are gorgeous!

VERY nice.